BY SAM ALFAN.
Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been freed on bond after denying three graft-related charges.
Milimani anti-corruption court directed Natembeya to deposit bond of Sh1 million or an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000 after he denied receiving kickbacks from a supplier who was trading the Trans- Nzoia county government.
Governor Natembeya faces two counts of conflict of interest contrary to Section 42(3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Act, 2003 and one count of unlawful acquisition of public funds, contrary to section 45(1)(A) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
The prosecution alleged that the funds would be sent by Mercy Chelangat, the director and proprietor of Lyma Agro Science Limited and Maira Stores to Emmanuel Wafula Masungo, the county’s chief finance officer and would subsequently channel the same to Natembaya through his M-Pesa.
The charges against Natembeya stated that he knowingly acquired an indirect pecuniary interest in the sum of Sh. 1,127,900 from Mercy Chelongat, the Director of Lyma Agro Science Limited and the Proprietor of Maira Stores, which traded with the County.
It is alleged that he received the money between 1st January, 2023 and 30th April 2025 being Governor of the County Government of Trans Nzoia.
The second count alleged that he received Sh. 3,252,568 being part of the payments made by County Government of Trans-Nzoia to Lyma Agro Science Limited, Maira Stores and Easterly Winds Limited in conflict of his public interest.
The third count alleged that Mr Natembeya acquired Sh3.2 million as part of the payments made to Lyma Agro Science Ltd, Maira Stores and Easterly ltd in conflict of his public interest.
The prosecution had opposed his release on bond arguing that he was likely to interfere with witnesses, destroy evidence and also interfere with the ongoing investigations.
His defence team submitted that bail was a constitutional right and the prosecution had not tabled any compelling reasons, to deny him bail.
As part of the conditions for granting him bail, the court directed Natembeya not to visit his offices for 60 days as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conducts the investigations.
He was also warned against getting in touch with the witnesses or talking about the case in the media and the public.
The case will be mentioned on June 3.
